Troy Belting changes name to Troy Industrial Solutions in light of evolving business VIDEO

Jason W. Smith named president of Troy Belting and Supply Co. announced a name change today to Troy Industrial Solutions to better reflect its current products on the 150th anniversary. (Mike McMahon / The Record)

L-R Executive Dan McCoy and Michael Tucker (CEG)Troy Belting and Supply Company Karen E. Smith chairwoman and treasure. The company announced a name change today to Troy Industrial Solutions to better reflect its current products on the 150th anniversary. (Mike McMahon / The Record)

WATERVLIET -- With a new name, amazing results are expected to continue beyond the 150-year history of the newly-renamed Troy Industrial Solutions.

The new moniker for the former Troy Belting and Supply Co. has been in the works for the last five or six years, explained General Manager David Barcomb at the official unveiling of the name Thursday.

"It became apparent when we were engaged in other segments of business other than belting, which is still an important aspect of our company," he continued. "Our business had evolved with hydraulic repairs and motor shop repairs and the name had not caught up. The new name will make it easier for our existing customers and for growing the business."

Growth plans include possible expansion at the current site and acquisitions, especially in New England, Barcomb added. It is unclear how many jobs could be created from this but he was confident that their current number of 68 employees would likely grow as well.

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The event included exhibiting artifacts from the various stages of business at the company which started in Troy and now sits on Cohoes Road in Watervliet. Some of their clients date back more than 100 years including Finch Paper and Green Island's Lydall. Items exhibited included leather-bound business notes, stock from the business, and even an old railroad spike since the business once sold the Burden-made products that helped develop the country in the mid to late 1800s.

P. Thomas Carroll from the Burden Museum spoke to a crowd of about 100 people Thursday afternoon at a celebration for the new name. In its 150-year history, the company has actually now had three names since it was initially called J. Lee Roy Pine Co. until it became Troy Belting & Supply in 1887.

The company, which does about $18 million annually in business, said they are at post-recession sales again.

President Jason W. Smith said, "Today we have arrived at a pivotal point in the history of Troy Industrial Solutions. Our company has established itself as a major economic contributor to the Capital District and our workforce has been a contributor to the community for generations through its involvement in charitable, professional and not-for-profit organizations."

Earlier this year Smith was appointed to the position of president at Troy Industrial Solutions succeeding his mother Karen E. Smith who now holds the position of chairwoman and treasurer. The Smith family has been at the helm of the company for 70 years.

Once at a riverside location on Grand Street in Troy, the company made the move across the river in the 1960s. They have more than 65,000 square feet of space in two buildings, one houses new equipment from a $400,000 investment earlier this year that made the hydraulic repairs possible.

Albany County Executive Dan McCoy said, "While attention is frequently focused on what tech companies will be providing to our region, it is vital for our community to recognize the strong manufacturing backbone that helps support our economy, providing our citizens a high quality of life."